Ratchet wrench



Nov. 14, 1950 v. N. ALBERTSON RATCHET WRENCH Filed March 24, 1949 Patented Nov. 14, 195i) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to Wrenches and, more particularly, to ratchet wrenches, my primary object being the provision of a Wrench of this type having novel actuating means, whereby it may be utilized in spaces of small compass where the usual wrench would be unable to function. To this end, I provide a wrench having a handle which, under ordinary circumstances, may constitute the main source of leverage for the turning on or off of a nut, together with certain ratchet-actuating connections, whereby, when space does not permit swinging movement of the handle about the axis of the nut or bolt, oscillation of the handle about its own axis will result in turning of said nut or bolt.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel housing for the wrench mechanism.

Another object of my invention is the provision of novel details in construction, whereby wrenches of the type immediately above-described are inexpensive to construct, durable in use, and eiiicient in operation.

The above and still further objects of my invention Will become apparent from the following detailed specication, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved Wrench;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section-taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding'substantially to Fig. 2 but showing a different position of some of the Darts; v

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View of some of the parts of Fig. 2, but showing still another position of some of the parts;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section, taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6, but showing some of the parts in the position assumed in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the fixed head plate and shank of my invention.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral I identifies, in its entirety, a xed head plate having a circular aperture 2 adjacent one end and a preferably integrallyformed reduced shank 3 extending from its op- 2 posite end. Shank 3 has a still further reduced screw-threaded end 4. Shoulders 5 are formed at the point of joinder of the shank 3 with the head I, whereas shoulders 6 are created by the reduced end 4.

A bushing 'I is journalled for rotation within the aperture 2 and is provided with a square central opening 8 which slidably receives a crosssectionally square stem 9. Stem 9, adjacent its opposite ends, is provided with spring pressed ball detents IIJ projecting laterally outwardly from one of its sides for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

A pair of matching ratchet gears II are provided with square axially-extended central openings I2 in which the square stem 9 is slidably received. Ratchet gears II engage opposite faces of the bushing 1 and are provided with ratchet teeth I3 which extend radially outwardly beyond the'periphery of bushing 'I, one of the side faces of each ratchet gear engaging an opposite face of fixed head plate I. The ratchets II are each provided with a recess I4 in one side wall of the central opening I2 thereof for the reception of one of the ball detents Ill. It is important to note that the ratchet teeth I3 of both ratchet gears II are pitched in the same direction.

A pair of oscillatory head plates I5 and I6 engage opposite sides of the xed head plate I and are each provided with apertures Il in which the ratchet gears II are freely journalled. The oscillatory head plates I5 and I6 are provided with recesses I8, each of which contains a pawl I9 movable into and out of engagement with the teeth I3 of a cooperating ratchet gear Il. Coil compression springs 20 bias pawls I9 toward engagement with ratchet teeth I 3.

Each of the oscillatory head plates I5 and I6 is provided with an outwardly-opening notch 2l in which are slidably and rotatably contained, cylindrical blocks 22. Blocks 22 are provided with transverse bores 23 in which are journalled pins 24 that are secured fast in a head 25 at the inner end of a tubular handle 25. Handle 25 has a reduced neck portion 21 which is journalled for limited rotary or oscillatory movements on shank 3 of xed head plate I. The reduced neck 2'I terminates in a shoulder portion 23 which is engaged by a flanged Washer 29 that encompasses the threaded end 4 of xed head plate I and bears against the shoulders 6 thereof. Washer 29 is held securely in place by a nut 3G screw-threaded on the reduced end 4. When the nut`30 is tightened upon reduced end 4, the

extreme end of head 25 loosely engages thev shoulders 5 of fixed head plate I. As indicated in Figs. 2 7 inclusive, pins 24 project axially outwardly of the head and are located in diametrically-opposed positions thereon. As shown in Fig. 3, the extreme outer end of handle 26 is provided with an opening 3| through which the fianged washer 29 and nut 39 may be inserted when applied to the reduced end 4 of fixed head plate I. Y

Fixed head plate I, ratchets I I, oscillatory head plates I5 and I6, blocks 22, pins 24, and a portion of head 25 are all enclosed within a housing 32 which is preferably stamped or drawn from a single piece of sheet metal or the like and which include spaced parallel walls 33 which are provided with axially-aligned apertures 34 through which extend diametrically-reduced portions or hubs I I of ratchet gears I I. It will be noted that the outer side faces of ratchet gears II radially outwardly of the hubs II, and the outer faces of oscillatory head plates I5 and I6 are in loose frictional contact with the inner sides of Walls 33. This arrangement provides for no more than a working clearance between the head plates I, I5, and I6, and the walls 33. The entire wrench assembly is held together by the housing 32, square stern 9, and nut 30.

Assembly of my novel wrench is accomplished inthe following manner. The oscillatory head plates I5 and I6, together with their cooperating ratchet gears II, pawls I9, and blocks 22, are placed within the housing 32 with the reduced portions II of ratchets II projecting outwardly through apertures 4. The iixed head plate I, to-

gether with its bushing I, is then moved into position between the oscillatory head plates I5 and I6 and the square stem `9 pressed through the aligned apertures in the bushing 'I and ratchets I I. The pin-equipped handle 25 Ais then slid over the shank 3, the pins 24 entering the bores 23 in blocks 22. Thereafter, hanged washer 29 is moved into position and locked in place by nut 39.

Square stem 9 is of a size to receive a socket wrench, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and indicated by the numeral 5. When my novel wrench is to be used where space is not confined, the handle 26 thereof may be swung about the axis of square stem 9, its function then being that of the conventional ratchet wrench. However, where space does not permit such a swinging of the handle 25, said handle is oscillated or rotated within limits in opposite directions to impart rotary movements to the square stem '9 and the socket wrench 35. This is accomplished as follows. When the handle 26 is rotated in a direction to move oscillatory head plate I5 in a clockwise direction with respect to Figs. 2, 4, and

5, head plate IB will move in a counter-clockwise Y direction with respect to these figures. As the head plate I5 moves in a clockwise direction, the pawl I9 thereof will ride over the ratchet teeth I3 of its cooperating ratchet gear II and have no effect thereon. Simultaneous movement of the oscillatory head plate I6 in a counter-clockwise direction causes its pawl I9 to engage the teeth I3 of its cooperating ratchet I I to positively rotate said ratchet II and the square stem 9 in a counter-clockwise direction. Obviously, when said plates I5 and I6 are moved in the opposite directions, the pawl I9 of head plate I5 will engage the teeth I3 of its cooperating ratchet I! and continue to rotate the square stem 9 in a counter-clockwise direction while, at the same time, the pawl I9 of head plate IG will slip over the teeth I3 of its cooperating ratchet gear II, As

indicated in Fig. 7, rotating movement of tubular handle 2B is limited by engagement of the oscillatory head plates I5 and I6 against opposite side walls 36 of housing 32. From the operation above-described, it will be seen that the square stem 9 and socket wrench 35 are positioned to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. When it is desired to use the Wrench to turn a nut or screw in a clockwise direction, it is but necessary to remove the socket 35 from the square stem 9, moving the projected end of said square stem axially toward the ratchets II until the ball detent I0 is contained within the recess I4. The opposite end of the square stem 9 will then be projected axially outwardly of the opposite ratchet II and thersocket 35 may be applied thereto. Ball detents I0, while permitting forcible insertion of the stem 9 through the openings 8 and I2 in the bushing 'I and ratchet gears II respectively, prevent accidental removal thereof and serve the added function of frictionally securing the socket wrench 35.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be adequate for the accomplishment of the objectives set forth; and, while I have shown a preferred embodiment of my device, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a device of the class described, a housing including a pair of rigidly connected spaced parallel walls having axially aligned apertures therein, a relatively fixed head plate intermediate said walls in spaced relation to each thereof and having an opening therein aligned with the openings in the housing, a pair of oscillatory head fplates in said housing having opposite faces each engaging an opposite face of said fixed head plate and a wall of said housing, said oscillatory head plates having openings therein which are` axially aligned with the openings in said housing but are of greater diameter than the openings in said housing and said fixed head plate, ratchet gears rotatable within the openings of said oscillatory head plates, opposite side faces of said ratchet gears engaging opposite sides of said fixed head plate and adjacent walls of the housing, said ratchet gears having teeth pitched in the same direction, a central hu-b on each of said ratchet gears extending axially outwardly through and being journalled in the aperture of the adjacent housing wall,- whereby to maintain axial alignment of the ratchet gears and oscillatory head plates with the apertures in said housing walls, a pawl on each of said oscillatory head plates each engageable with a cooperating one of said ratchet gears, said ratchet gears having central openings extending axially therethrough, a tool holding stem extending through the openings in said ratchet gears and fixed head plate and maintaining the opening in said xed head plate in axial alignment with the openings in said ratchet gears, said stem being freely rotatable in said fixed head plate and being locked against rotation with respect to said ratchet gears,Y a shank on said fixed head plate projecting laterally outwardly from said housing, handle means rotatably mounted on said shank, and power transmitting connections between said handle and said oscillatory head lplates, whereby oscillatory movements of said handle will impart simultaneous oscillatory movements in opposite directions to said oscillatory head plates and rotary movements to said Stem.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said stem is axially slidably removable with respect to the ratchet gears.

3. The structure dened in claim 1 in which said housing is drawn from a single piece of sheet material and includes a sleeve-like open end which projects laterally outwardly from the aligned apertures therein and rotatably receives the handle means.

4. In a device of the class described, a xed head plate, a shank rigid with said head plate, an elongated tubular handle journalled for rotation on said shank, means limiting axial movement of said shank in said handle, a toolmounting stem journalled intermediate its ends in said Xed head plate, matching ratchet gears axially slidably mounted on said stem for common rotation therewith and located one on each side of Xed head 1plate, said ratchet gears being pitched in the same direction, a pair of oscillatory head .plates freely journalled each on a diierent one of said ratchet gears and located adjacent opposite faces of the xed head plate, a pawl on each of said oscillatory head plates each in cooperative engagement with a different one of said ratchet gears, and power transmitting connections between the inner end of said handle and said oscillatory head plates, whereby to impart simultaneous movements to said head plates in opposite directions upon imparting oscillatory movements to said handle.

5. The structure dened in claim 4 in which said power-transmitting connections comprise pins projecting axially from the inner end of said handle, slide blocks on the ends of said pins, and notches in said oscillatory head plates, said slide blocks being seated within said notches for compound sliding and rotary movements with respect thereto.

6. In a device of the class described, a xed head plate, a shank rigid with said head plate, an elongated tubular handle journalled for rotation on said shank, means limiting axial movement of said shank in said handle, a tool-mounting stem journalled intermediate its ends in said xed head plate, matching ratchet gears mounted on said stem for common rotation therewith and located one on each side of xed head plate, said ratchet gears being pitched in the same direction, a pair of oscillatory head plates freely journalled each on a different one of said ratchet gears and located adjacent opposite faces of the xed head plate, a pawl on each of said oscillatory head plates each in cooperative engagement with a diierent one of Said ratchet gears, and power transmitting connections between the inner end of said handle and said oscillatory head plates, whereby to impart simultaneous movements to said head plates in opposite directions upon imparting oscillatory movements to said handle.

VICTOR N. ALBERTSON.

No references cited. 

